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(ZIMPAPERS) Wheat production under threat

Wheat production under threat
Sunday, 01 May 2011 01:06 Agriculture
By Emilia Zindi and Gwendoline Mugauri

THE country’s winter wheat cropping season is under threat amid indications that most farmers are yet to access inputs under Government’s recently unveiled US$26 million support programme.

Under the initiative, wheat producers were supposed to purchase fertiliser at Grain Marketing Board depots at a subsidised price of US$15 for a 50kg bag.
However, the depots are still dry, almost two months after the launch of the programme. Farmers interviewed last week expressed fears that Zimbabwe could face a serious wheat deficit if inputs were not availed in time for planting this month.

They said although local fertiliser manufacturers had adequate stocks, the product was pegged at prohibitive prices, upwards of US$32 per bag.
Efforts to get a comment from the GMB and Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made were fruitless.

Farmers in Mashonaland Central said they visited GMB depots several times, but to no avail.

“I have been to the depot (in Bindura) more than three times but there is nothing. I wonder when they will be made available considering that we are running out of time,’’ said one farmer in the area.

Mr Onias Chiminya of Glendale said some farmers were considering abandoning wheat production altogether. Grain producers in Mashonaland West have also contemplating doing the same.

“There is nothing at the Chinhoyi depot. I have been there more than four times. I have since opted to plant potatoes and I am receiving inputs from our farmers’ union,’’ said Mr Moses Mlambo, a Chinhoyi farmer.

Agritex national wheat agronomist Mr Rudo Chinhoi said problems in the sector had cropped up just as his institution was gearing up for increased production.

He said the intensive land preparations carried out so far indicated growers were eyeing bumper harvests.

“Preparations for the winter wheat season have begun and the focus by Agritex centres on increasing productivity per unit area,” he said.

“The failure by farmers to engage in proper production practices, lack of adequate planning and management as well as inaccurate planting dates have all contributed to low production in the past.’’

Mr Chinhoi said wheat production entailed adequate inputs as well as good land preparation, crop management and marketing.

“The ideal planting time is the month of May. This will help ensure farmers make full use of the cool weather.

“Planting too early results in a large grain size and low nutritional content.’’
Government has earmarked a minimum of 45 000 hectares to go under wheat this season. Zimbabwe requires about 400 000 metric tonnes of wheat per year for bread production only.-The Sunday Mail

Labels: WHEAT

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